Materials DevelopmentHybrid

Typical Title: Materials Developer | Footwear Materials Developer | Lead Materials Developer

Locations: Beaverton, OR | Boston, MA

As a Materials Developer contractor at Nike, you can do work with impact. To be considered for future opportunities, express your interest now, and be added to the Nike Contract Talent Community and the Materials Developer Talent Pool.

NIKE, Inc. does more than outfit the world's best athletes. It is a place to explore potential, obliterate boundaries and push out the edges of what can be. The company looks for people who can grow, think, dream and create. Its culture thrives by embracing diversity and rewarding imagination. The brand seeks achievers, leaders and visionaries. At Nike, it’s about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly evolving game.

The Materials Developer will typically help bring innovative products to life by managing the development of materials from concept through commercialization.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Manage the development of materials from concept through commercialization, ensuring delivery against critical timelines and product specifications.
• Partner with Design, Product Development, Merchandising, Engineering, Sourcing, Manufacturing, and Materials Design teams to deliver innovative material solutions.
• Collaborate with vendors to develop, sample, test, and refine materials that meet quality, performance, cost, and sustainability goals.
• Track and facilitate prototype and sample development, identifying and resolving technical or manufacturing challenges throughout the product creation process.
• Create and maintain material specifications, documentation, and development records to support commercialization.
• Monitor material testing and communicate risks, challenges, and recommendations to ensure product integrity and readiness.
• Research industry trends, emerging technologies, and consumer insights to identify new material opportunities and drive innovation.
• Support material selection by balancing design intent, functionality, manufacturability, profitability, and sustainability.
• Partner with manufacturing and sourcing teams to support material costing, production readiness, and successful commercialization.

 WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor's degree in Textile Engineering, Materials Science, Apparel Design, Product Development, Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2+ years experience in materials development, product development, footwear, apparel, textiles, or a related product creation environment.
• Understanding of material development, manufacturing processes, and the product creation lifecycle from concept through commercialization.
• Knowledge of textiles, trims, leathers, synthetics, components, or other material types is preferred.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify risks and develop practical solutions.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to build strong relationships across cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while delivering high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
• A proactive, curious mindset with a passion for innovation, continuous improvement, and consumer-focused product creation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience with product lifecycle management (PLM), material management systems, or related digital tools is a plus.